Indicator.



No. 812,354. PATENTED FEB. 13, 19.06.

J. P. MURPHY.

INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED 'MAY 27, 1905.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1906.

Application filed May 27, 1905. Serial No. 262,673.

T at whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN PATRICK MURPHY,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Saci a scale comprising a series of rogressive 1nramento, in the county of Sacramento and State of Callfornia, have lnvented a new and useful Indicator, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to means for publishing the plays made in baseball, though the same is not necessarily limited to this use, as it is applicable to other games and conditions.

The principal object is to provide novel and simple means whereby the changes of the symbols maybe readily made without danger of mistake or confusion, said means -being such that the indicator can be manufactured on a large scale in order that it may be placed on a field and is not liable to become deranged or inoperative either through long use or exposure to the elements.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where- 1n Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the structure. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the structure. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective View of one of the flaps.

Similar reference-numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the draw mgs.

In the embodiment illustrated an upright board or plate 5 is employed, which may be supported in any suitable manneras, for instance, by standards 6. Upon the front face of this plate or board are arranged longitudinallydisposed flanges 7, spaced apart, as shown. On one end of the board and between the flanges are placed a plurality of index designations. Thus in the present embodiment the word Strike is located in the space between the two upper flanges, the

preferably formed by coils cut from the material of which the flaps are made. Located on the inner face of the flaps of each series is dicating-symbols, one of whic i is located on each flap. Thus on the flaps 8 are respectively placed the numerals 1, 2, and 3, said flaps being in line with the word Strike. On the flaps 9 are. respectively placed the numerals 1, 2, 3, and 1, and on the flaps 10, alined with the word Out, are placed the numerals 1, 2, and 3. The flaps are adapted to be held in closed condition by turn-buttons or other suitable devices 14, which prevent their accidental swinging by the wind.

It will of course be evident to those who understand the game of base-ball that the indicator is for the purpose of publishing the number of strikes against and-balls in favor of a batter, as well as the number of players out. Therefore at the opening of an inning it will be understood that the flaps are closed, so that none of the numerals appear. If, however, a ball is recorded, the'first flap is opened, and the strikes are published in like manner. As fast as the men are put out this is also announced by turning the lower set of flaps. It will be observed that when one of the flaps is opened it overlaps the flap on which the succeeding number or symbol is placed, and thus said flap cannot be opened until the first-mentioned flap has been closed. Consequently the danger of mistake or confusion is avoided.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, operation, and many advantages of the herein-describedinvention willbe apparent to those skilled in the art without further description.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an indicator, the combination with a supporting plate, of spaced flanges located on the same, said plate having an index designation disposed between the flanges, swinging flaps arranged between the flanges and having indicating-sy111bols that are exposed when the flaps are turned in a predetermined direction, and hinge-pintles for said flaps en gaged with the said flanges.

2. In an indicator, the combination with a support having a plurality of index designations thereon, of a plurality of series of single swinging flaps, each series being in line with one of the index designations, and common hinge-pintles for securing flaps of the different series to the support.

- 3. In an indicator, the combination with a supporting-plate, of spaced horizontally-disposed flanges located on the same, said plate having index designations located between the flanges, lines of flaps movably mounted between the flanges, and hinge-pintles passing through the flanges and constituting pivotal supports for the flaps, one face of each flap having an indicating-symbol and each of said flaps swinging to a position over the adjacent flap when swung in one direction and exposing the symbol carried thereby.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as I 5 my own I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN PATRICK MURPHY. 

